Sold Out – Heart Of Gold has now reached its 10th Birthday, and the 2017 may well turn out to be the best one ever. The 2017 growing season was preceded by the wettest winter in California history, and with all that water in the ground, the vines were able to cruise through some significant heat-spikes in Summer and early Fall, without any real dehydration or heat-stress. Harvest was just a bit later in ’17 than it had been during the previous four seasons marked by severe drought. When the grapes were picked they were in beautiful condition, with modest sugar concentration, healthy acidity, and plenty of flavor.
Fruit Source: Fenaughty Vineyard, at roughly 2800 feet elevation, is located in the Apple Hill District above Placerville, in El Dorado County. The soil at Fenaughty is Aiken-Loam, a dark-red, well-drained soil type of volcanic origin.
Winemaking Notes: Grapes were picked September 4th (56% Vermentino, 44% Grenache Blanc), and whole-cluster pressed into tank. Temperature was set at 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and fermentation proceeded for approximately three weeks, to completion, at dryness. At that point the temperature was lowered, and a bit of SO2 was added to block malolactic fermentation. The wine remained on primary lees until the end of January, 2018. It was then racked, and returned to tank, and bottled February 12th. Alcohol by volume is 11.1%.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Palest gold. Fresh, nervous nose, of ginger and stone. Very lively and fresh in the mouth, with considerable textural depth, and richness to the lengthy finish.
Total Production: 255 cases. Retail price: $22.00 – Sold Out